Protest shuts down Georgian Drive

First Nations supporters march near Georgian Drive

Amanda Slipperjack warmed her native drum by the fire before showing her support for the Idle No More movement Wednesday morning.

First Nations supporters march near Georgian Drive

Janis Ramsay photo

Native advocate Kim Newby, far right, hands out tobacco before beginning a peaceful protest at Georgian College to recent government changes to the Indian Act. Accepting tobacco were Lacey Day, far left, and Cheryl Offord.

BARRIE - Updated 12:17 p.m. Jan. 16Amanda Slipperjack warmed her native drum by a propane fire at Georgian College before taking part in a peaceful protest to bring awareness to aboriginal rights.
Approximately 70 people joined the Idle No More march in Barrie Wednesday morning, which started at the Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness.
Slipperjack, who is also a business administration human resources student at the college, wanted to participate to show the environment is important to her.
She’s part of the Lac Seul First Nations and said the Canada-wide protest started after the approval of the Conservative government’s omnibus Bill C-45 in December.
The bill makes changes to the Indian Act, Navigation Protection Act and Environmental Assessment Act.
Idle No More supporters claim the changes make it easier for First Nations communities to lease designated reserve land without a proper majority vote, and companies working on pipeline or power line projects won’t have to prove the project won’t damage or destroy a navigable waterway it crosses, unless the waterway is on a list prepared by the transportation minister.
“I want to protect the environment for the next seven generations, so they can protect it for the next seven too,” said Slipperjack.
“If (the government) destroys the environment, they destroy our water and food. If there’s poison in the water, what will we drink, what will we eat?” she said.
The Idle No More movement started in Saskatoon in December, but gained nation-wide attention when Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence announced a hunger strike, which is now close to 40 days old.
Wearing a native jingle dress and white feathers in her hair, Kim Newby spoke to the crowd before they marched down Georgian Drive and Duckwoth Street.
“We do this for all of Canada,” she said. “Our treaties protect the last lands of Canada and once they have that opportunity (to destroy it) we won’t be able to protect (the land) anymore.”
She said the native people are standing up for the country’s natural resources, and Canadians should write their members of parliament to stop Bill C-45.
After the march was a circle dance, and the group disbanded after an hour and a half. Traffic was once again allowed through the area.
Further Idle No More protests are planned throughout Ontario for the rest of the month, including one in Midhurst at the Ministry of Natural Resources building on Thursday.

Updated from previous version, 10:59 a.m. Jan. 16:

Native protesters have begun a peaceful protest and march today as part of the Idle No More movement, in protest of Conservative government legislation.
Approximately 70 people met at the Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness at Georgian College. Their intent was to walk along Georgian Drive to Duckworth Street, and then have a demonstration along the sidewalk.
It's not believed the road would be shut down for long, if at all, Wednesday morning.

Updated from below:

Motorists are being advised that Georgian Drive at Duckworth Street will be shut down as of 10 a.m. for a peaceful native protest called Idle No More.
Similar protests are taking place across the country today, and Barrie Transit buses are also re-routing their buses in the area for the duration of the protest.
The Idle No More movement is in response to Conservative government bills, like Bill C-45, which threaten treaties and this Indigenous Vision of Sovereignty.
The goal of the movement is to increase awareness about indigenous issues.
Barrie police Const. Angela Butler said police officers are already on the scene to help direct traffic.
"The public is to expect road closures and/or delays in the area of Georgian College, Georgian Drive, Duckworth Street, Bell Farm Road, Cundles Road, and access to the Royal Victoria Regional Health Center," said Butler.
The demonstration is expected to last for several hours.